Treatments for Varicose Veins
If you have varicose veins, you might not always need to treat them. Treatment of Varicose Veins might be necessary if you have veins that are causing you pain; they are giving you complications such as skin discolorations or skin ulcers, or for cosmetic reasons. These are much easier to treat now than they once were. In fact, in the past, it was thought that you had just to live with these, but these days there are many different options available to you – both medically and at home treatments. Below, we will be talking about common treatments for Varicose Veins as well as home treatments you can try out as well.
At Home Treatments
Apple Cider Vinegar
People swear by Apple Cider Vinegar and say that it can heal all sorts of things, even varicose veins. Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cleansing product, and it can help increase blood flow and circulation which makes it a superb option for this specific issue. One option is to consider applying an undiluted amount to the varicose veins and massaging it into your skin. You can do this twice daily over several months to see if it shrinks the size of the veins. You can also drink apple cider vinegar, drink 2T of ACV in 8 oz of water twice a day for one month to see if you see any positive results.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil helps to increase circulation, and you can do so simply by massaging the oil into the places where the veins are present. You can also warm the oil up, and massage that on to your skin as well. If it does not work, at least, you will be left with super soft skin! You can try this treatment for two months, twice daily.
Garlic
Garlic is one of those herbs that can decrease inflammation in the body. Its best eaten raw, but you can also crush the cloves of garlic until it forms a juicy pulp, strain it, and place the juice of the garlic on your veins. You can also take garlic supplements as well, and it will not leave you with garlic breath or smelling like a giant piece of garlic!
Medical Treatments
Compression Stockings
Compression stockings have also come a long way. These should, however, only be used when nothing else will work – right before any surgery might come into play. Compression stockings are designed to steadily and gently squeeze your legs to help improve the circulation in them. Compression stockings will help with the pain the varicose veins can sometimes produce, however, there is no real proof that these can help with shrinking the varicose veins you have now or proof that it can keep new ones from appearing. Compression Stockings come in two different types (pressures) the first one is a lightweight class 1. The second is a medium compression Class 2. Compression stockings come in different colors, lengths and foot styles.
Radio frequency ablation
“Radio frequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used in the treatment of varicose veins. It is an alternative to the traditional stripping operation. Under ultrasound guidance, a radio frequency catheter is inserted into the abnormal vein and the vessel treated with radio-energy, resulting in the closure of the involved vein. Radio frequency ablation is used to treat the great saphenous vein, the small saphenous vein, and the perforator veins. The latter are connecting veins that transport blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins. Branch varicose veins are then usually treated with other minimally invasive procedures, such as ambulatory phlebectomy, Sclerotherapy, or foam Sclerotherapy.”
Endovenous Laser Treatments
Endovenous Laser Treatments requires that a catheter is inserted into the veins using an ultrasound scan. The laser then provides short bursts of energy that will heat the vein up and then seal it closed.
Ultrasound-guided foam Sclerotherapy
If the above-mentioned options are not working for you or are unsuitable, there is another option available to you called Ultrasound-guided foam Sclerotherapy. This treatment is not especially suitable though if you have had deep vein thrombosis in the past.
Another treatment is available, called stripping, but this is very rarely used these days since there are so many other options available that are quicker, safer and easier for doctors to do – and for you to withstand.
At Home Treatments
Apple Cider Vinegar
People swear by Apple Cider Vinegar and say that it can heal all sorts of things, even varicose veins. Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cleansing product, and it can help increase blood flow and circulation which makes it a superb option for this specific issue. One option is to consider applying an undiluted amount to the varicose veins and massaging it into your skin. You can do this twice daily over several months to see if it shrinks the size of the veins. You can also drink apple cider vinegar, drink 2T of ACV in 8 oz of water twice a day for one month to see if you see any positive results.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil helps to increase circulation, and you can do so simply by massaging the oil into the places where the veins are present. You can also warm the oil up, and massage that on to your skin as well. If it does not work, at least, you will be left with super soft skin! You can try this treatment for two months, twice daily.
Garlic
Garlic is one of those herbs that can decrease inflammation in the body. Its best eaten raw, but you can also crush the cloves of garlic until it forms a juicy pulp, strain it, and place the juice of the garlic on your veins. You can also take garlic supplements as well, and it will not leave you with garlic breath or smelling like a giant piece of garlic!
Medical Treatments
Compression Stockings
Compression stockings have also come a long way. These should, however, only be used when nothing else will work – right before any surgery might come into play. Compression stockings are designed to steadily and gently squeeze your legs to help improve the circulation in them. Compression stockings will help with the pain the varicose veins can sometimes produce, however, there is no real proof that these can help with shrinking the varicose veins you have now or proof that it can keep new ones from appearing. Compression Stockings come in two different types (pressures) the first one is a lightweight class 1. The second is a medium compression Class 2. Compression stockings come in different colors, lengths and foot styles.
Radio frequency ablation
“Radio frequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used in the treatment of varicose veins. It is an alternative to the traditional stripping operation. Under ultrasound guidance, a radio frequency catheter is inserted into the abnormal vein and the vessel treated with radio-energy, resulting in the closure of the involved vein. Radio frequency ablation is used to treat the great saphenous vein, the small saphenous vein, and the perforator veins. The latter are connecting veins that transport blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins. Branch varicose veins are then usually treated with other minimally invasive procedures, such as ambulatory phlebectomy, Sclerotherapy, or foam Sclerotherapy.”
Endovenous Laser Treatments
Endovenous Laser Treatments requires that a catheter is inserted into the veins using an ultrasound scan. The laser then provides short bursts of energy that will heat the vein up and then seal it closed.
Ultrasound-guided foam Sclerotherapy
If the above-mentioned options are not working for you or are unsuitable, there is another option available to you called Ultrasound-guided foam Sclerotherapy. This treatment is not especially suitable though if you have had deep vein thrombosis in the past.
Another treatment is available, called stripping, but this is very rarely used these days since there are so many other options available that are quicker, safer and easier for doctors to do – and for you to withstand.